The Bride Chooses a Highlander Page 16

  Holding the flickering candle aloft, Katherine strained to see ahead. ’Twas not uncommon for a page or squire to sleep at the threshold of the laird’s chamber. If she stumbled over an unsuspecting servant the household would immediately be roused, ending the chance for a private meeting.

  Fortunately, the path was clear. As she was trying to decide the best way to enter—knock first or slowly lift the latch—the door swung open and a large, dark form appeared.

  “God’s blood, Katherine, I nearly skewered ye!” Lachlan hissed.

  Katherine gasped. Looking down she saw the tense muscles of Lachlan’s forearm and lethal dirk gripped tightly in his hand.

  “I’m sorry,” she answered softly. “I needed to speak with ye privately.”

  “Now?”

  She nodded. Fearing he might refuse her, Katherine pushed past him and entered the chamber. She heard him sigh. Half expecting to be hauled away, Katherine was relieved to hear the door close.

  The chamber was in near darkness. Lachlan took her candle and lit two others. Placing his hands on his hips, he took a deep breath and looked at her expectantly.

  Katherine’s fingers knotted into a tight ball. The intimacy of the moment and the arrangement she was about to propose reminded her of how odd her words would sound. Yet she refused to hesitate—their marriage could prove to be the salvation they both needed. Determined, she did her best to smooth away the uncertainty of her expression.

  “Ye know that I cannae marry Hamish Drummond.”

  Lachlan nodded. “Aye. After meeting the man, I can see ye have cause to avoid a union with him.”

  “My brother agrees, but my father, well, by all accounts he willnae easily allow me to break the marriage contract.” Heart racing, Katherine lifted her chin, hardly believing she was being so bold. “However, he’ll not have a choice if I return to McKenna Castle a married woman.”

  Lachlan’s brows drew together. “And just who will ye be wedding?”

  “Ye.” She cleared her throat. “That is, if ye’ll have me.”

  A thick silence settled over the room. Katherine pressed her lips together to keep herself from begging as she tried to read Lachlan’s reaction. He was studying her carefully, his expression impassive.

  “Are ye jesting with me, Katherine?” he finally asked.

  “Nay!” Katherine bit back a grimace. She had hoped for a more enthusiastic reaction. The kisses they had shared had been filled with passion and longing. Or so she believed. Had she misjudged his interest in her? If so, a different tactic was needed. “Marriages are used to build alliances, acquire wealth, and enhance a clan’s position. Ye shall do all three if ye take me as yer wife.”

  “Perhaps.” The corners of Lachlan’s lips curved up in an ironic smile. “But I’ll also be adding the Drummond clan to an ever-growing list of enemies. Of course, they’ll have to battle the Frasers and the McKennas first fer a piece of my hide.”

  Katherine dipped her chin. “My father will make peace with the Drummonds and ye’ll be bound to the McKennas through marriage, an alliance that will hold strong.”

  “I cannae image yer father taking kindly to a man who married his daughter without his knowledge or permission. He’s just as likely to run me through with his broadsword than offer his blessing of our union.”

  “Aye, it could be viewed as an act of defiance to marry ye without my father’s permission,” Katherine acknowledged. “However, my mother extracted a promise from him when I was a wee lass, granting me the right to choose my own husband.” She cleared the dryness from her throat. “I choose ye.”

  “Why me?”

  Katherine felt the color spread across her cheeks. “’Tis a bold move that requires a man equal to the task.”

  Lachlan raised his brow. “Flattery, Katherine? Ye think that all ye need do is flutter yer eyelashes and point yer breasts in my direction and I’ll come to heel like a well-trained hound?”

  “I think nothing of the sort!”

  Lachlan raked his fingers through his hair. “I cannae help but wonder if ye’d feel the same way if Hamish Drummond had not arrived, demanding that ye honor the marriage contract.”

  His words surprised her. She pondered their meaning and her serious expression broke, bringing forth a mischievous smile. “Have I hurt yer pride because I dinnae ask ye sooner?”

  Lachlan turned his head and grinned. “Damn it, lass, that teasing smile will land ye in a tub of hot water one day.”

  Katherine’s smile widened. “Would it truly be so awful to marry me?” she whispered boldly, breathlessly. “Ye’ll have to wed sometime. As laird, ’tis yer duty to take a wife. And I need a husband. It seems like a simple, mutually beneficial solution.”

  “’Tis a permanent solution.” Lachlan scrubbed a hand across his face. “Ye see the condition of our keep. ’Tis old, and in need of extensive repairs. Our livestock are few and those we do have are thin and often sickly.

  “The harvests are poor, no matter how hard our people work in the fields. The seeds are either washed away by rain or rot in the ground. In the lean months of winter, despite all my efforts, there are times my people go hungry. I have no business bringing a noblewoman of yer wealth and stature to live in such squalor.”

  Katherine bent close to him, placing her hand on his arm. She could feel the muscle tighten and tense, but she refused to remove her fingers. “My dowry includes rich, fertile land. The yields from these fields could feed the MacTavish through a long, hard winter. There is more, too, much more. I will bring household goods and other foodstuffs along with funds that can pay fer repairs to the keep and buy healthy livestock.”

  Lachlan scratched the side of his head. “A marriage could solve several problems. Fer both of us.”

  Excitement pricked her. “’Tis a sensible solution,” she agreed.

  Yet uncertainty glimmered in Lachlan’s eyes. “Ye’ve put forth all the judicious reasons fer our union. But what of love? Ye told me once how important it was to ye. I’ll admit to having feelings fer ye—strong ones. But I’ll not lie to ye—lust is not love. Are ye willing to pay such a steep price fer this marriage?” he asked, his voice laced with caution.

  Katherine regarded him with a composure she didn’t feel. “I must be practical, therefore I hope fer a man who will treat me with respect and dignity.”

  Lachlan nodded. “If we marry, that I can promise ye, lass.”

  Katherine’s heart started beating wildly. Her answer had only been partially true. She had not abandoned her quest to one day share a deep and abiding love with her husband and she believed it could happen with Lachlan. An uncomfortable feeling of guilt settled in her stomach for not speaking of it to him, but she feared it might cause him to reject her.

  “I understand yer concerns about my father and vow that my brothers and I will do all that we can to prevent a feud between our clans,” she said. “I know that a conflict has the power to fuel itself, much like an unattended fire.”

  “Aye, and the blaze it ignites will consume us all in pain and grief.” The furrow between Lachlan’s brow eased. “Ye’ve no cause to be so fearful. Though I imagine he will delight in stringing my innards from the McKenna Castle battlements, I can hold my own with yer father.”

  Lachlan laid a comforting hand over hers. The sensation of his fingers on her flesh made Katherine shiver. He held her gaze and she could feel the tension sizzling between them, enveloping her senses. It felt good to confirm that she had not imagined the desire she had previously seen in his eyes.

  If only he would kiss her! Then, he would feel a different sort of need for her. One that might sway his decision. She tilted her chin and gazed at him provocatively. His eyes narrowed and darkened for a moment, but disappointingly he made no move to accept her blatant invitation.

  “Ye’ve given me much to consider,” Lachlan said slowly. “My actions have consequences fer all the members of my clan. ’Tis my duty to provide fer and protect them. Yer dowry would be welcome�
�as long as I can wrestle it from yer father. But our marriage will make enemies of the Drummonds and further deepen the tension with the Frasers, placing a greater burden on all my people.”

  Katherine could feel a cold sweat break out on her brow. “I dinnae wish to be a burden to anyone.”

  His expression softened. “Any man would be proud and honored to have ye as his wife, but a decision this important should not be made in haste.”

  The pain of disappointment struck hard. Katherine pressed her hand against her chest and took a deep breath, trying to ease the pounding of her heart. ’Twas not the answer she had hoped to receive. The only small bit of comfort was that he had not rejected her outright.

  “Alas, there is no time to weigh the merits of our union,” she said sadly. “I will be leaving with Graham at first light.”

  Lachlan searched for her hand, slowly rubbing her fingers between his own. “I’m coming with ye. Graham suggested it would be best if I explained to yer father in person how ye came to be with us. I agreed.”

  A tiny frisson of hope surged in Katherine’s chest. All was not yet lost. “Perhaps we will have more to tell my family when we arrive at McKenna Castle,” Katherine suggested wistfully.

  “Mayhap.”

  Lachlan’s gaze remained fixed on her face. Katherine smiled, trying to appear unconcerned and carefree. Desperation was hardly an attractive quality.

  “I need to return to my chamber before I am discovered,” she admitted reluctantly.

  As much as she wanted this marriage, she would not entrap Lachlan and embarrass them both by being discovered in his bedchamber.

  “Wait. Let me make certain no one is about.” Lachlan opened the chamber door and checked the hallway, then signaled it was clear.

  Holding her candle high, Katherine exited. She walked slowly, carefully, her heart heavy with the realization that she had failed to receive the outcome she sought, leaving her future riddled with uncertainty.

  * * *

  Lachlan watched Katherine slowly make her way down the corridor. Once he was assured that she was safely back in her chamber, he shut the door and slumped against it.

  Marry Katherine! Shit! The very notion had his head spinning in uncountable directions. The idea of having her by his side and in his bed was a temptation that cast all common sense aside.

  In so many ways it was an unthinkably high-reaching match for him. She was the daughter of a rich and powerful man; he was the laird of a poor and disgraced clan. She had been raised among luxury and ease; he had fought each day for survival.

  Was it the appeal of something he knew was forbidden to him that made it so tempting?

  Nay, it was Katherine herself. Her teasing humor, her bravery and kindness, her gracious nobility, the friendship and regard that had begun to blossom between them.

  Ever since he had kissed her, he had been unable to forget the sweet taste of her lips, the feel of her luscious body against his own, the heat and passion she had stirred so effortlessly within him.

  She had the power to ignite a desire that burned hotter and fiercer than any he had ever known. But he was not a man who would allow himself to be ruled by passion or personal desire. He could not risk the future of his clan by allowing himself to be enraptured by a woman. Even one as beguiling as Katherine.

  It had been torturous to deny her, to deny himself. The glimmer of hope in her eyes had nearly unmanned him. But he had to be measured and practical in this decision.

  Lachlan admitted ’twas harder after meeting her betrothed. Drummond was a poor choice for many reasons. His temperament was unsteady, his countenance immature. Worst of all, there was no warmth in his gaze when he looked at Katherine. ’Twas obvious he held no genuine affection for her.

  Drummond was merely intent on retrieving his wayward betrothed in order to impress his father and regain his pride. A situation that bespoke of an unhappy union if Katherine and Drummond married.

  Lachlan knew it was dangerous to concern himself with Katherine’s broken betrothal. Still, the impulse to be chivalrous, to rescue her from a fate she didn’t deserve ran deep and strong within him. Along with the selfish desire to make her his own.

  Yet as he returned to his bed and stretched out upon it, he vowed not to indulge either until he figured out a way to make certain it would bring no harm to his clan.

  * * *

  At daybreak, they prepared to ride.

  Lady Morag and Aiden were among those who came to see them off. Lachlan spoke with his brother privately for several minutes, then embraced his stepmother. She whispered something in his ear. He nodded.

  Several members of the clan crowded around Katherine to bid her farewell and she was surprised to feel a lump of emotion clog her throat. The couple whose cow she had rescued wished her well, as did the mother of the bairns she had helped.

  Young Cameron sniffled, threw his arms around her waist, and hugged her tightly.

  “I shall miss ye, too,” Katherine said softly, kissing the top of his head.

  “When will ye return?” Cameron asked, his voice muffled against her heavy cloak.

  “Fate will decide,” she whispered in his ear before breaking away.

  “Godspeed, milady,” Cameron’s mother said.

  The rest of the women surrounding her respectfully curtsied and bid her safe journey. During the exchange, Katherine could feel Lachlan’s eyes upon her, yet he made no move to come to her side. ’Twas Graham who helped her mount her horse and secure the reins.

  “I hope yer journey passes swiftly and uneventfully,” Lady Morag called out to Katherine.

  The older woman looked decidedly uncomfortable and Katherine could only imagine what she was thinking. No doubt she was pleased to see Katherine leave and in all likelihood praying this was the last time she would ever set eyes on any of the McKenna clan.

  Aiden said nothing. His handsome features were taut, his shoulders visibly tense. He acknowledged her departure with a quick, short nod. Katherine gripped the reins tightly and answered his expression in kind.

  Graham led the group out of the bailey. He drove them hard throughout the day, stopping only when necessary, to water the horses, see to personal needs, and eat sparingly of their food rations.

  Following her brother’s dictates, Katherine rode in the middle of the train, grateful for the McKenna soldiers who surrounded her, for they kept Hamish away. He was sulking like a spoiled lad, casting her sidelong glances filled with annoyance, clenching his jaw so tightly she wondered if his teeth would break.

  To the consternation of the men protecting her, Drummond repeatedly tried to move close enough to engage her in conversation. Katherine ignored him. He was a distraction she had neither the time nor inclination to acknowledge. She had three, possibly four nights to convince Lachlan to wed her and she fully intended to concentrate her efforts on achieving that goal.

  As the light faded with the setting sun, the moon rose to illuminate their path through the forest. They finally halted in front of a sprawling inn, where they were expected. Ever the planner, Graham had instructed one of his men to ride ahead and make the arrangements.

  Katherine slowly dismounted, her legs wobbling when she reached the ground. One of the McKenna retainers gallantly offered her his arm and she gratefully accepted his escort into the inn. It was a crude establishment, with a hard-packed dirt floor, long misshapen wooden tables and benches, and kegs of ale stacked in the corner of the common room, which was empty of other travelers. Katherine wondered if her brother had made those arrangements, too.

  The chamber she was shown to was sparse and fitted with simple furnishings, but the rushes covering the wooden floor appeared fresh and free of vermin. At Katherine’s request, a maid brought her hot water to wash along with her dinner.

  After spending the entire day in the saddle, she felt almost too tired to chew, but Katherine’s stomach rumbled when she caught a whiff of the delectable smells wafting from the tray.

  Surpris
ed at the quality of the stew, Katherine finished the meal quickly, brushing away the last of the crumbs when she was done. Moving her chair closer to the fire, she let herself relax. The pleasing warmth, along with her full stomach, caused her eyelids to grow heavy. Drowsy and content, she soon drifted off to sleep.

  Roused by a sharp knock, Katherine was startled awake.

  “Lachlan?”

  She stumbled, nearly tripping in her haste to reach the door. Disappointment reigned when she saw the maid standing on the other side.

  “I’ve come to help ye prepare fer bed, milady.” The lass nervously chewed her bottom lip and waited. Fearing she must look like an ogress, Katherine smiled in a friendly manner and gestured for the maid to enter.

  The lass was quick and efficient, helping Katherine unlace and remove her clothing. Since she had no night rail, Katherine elected to sleep in her chemise. Rummaging in the pocket of her cloak, she gave the maid one of the silver pennies Graham had gifted her with this morning. Eyes shining bright with gratitude, the lass left.

  Katherine climbed into the bed, but her little nap had taken the edge off her exhaustion and left her mind far too alert.

  Had Lachlan decided yet about their possible marriage? she wondered. Would he come to her when the inn was quiet and tell her of his intention? Or should she venture outside and try to find him? Indecision gripped her, but in the end Katherine reasoned that no matter how difficult, the sensible choice was to wait.

  She drew the blanket off the bed and wrapped it around her shoulders. Then turning the chair toward the door, she sat, silently willing it to open and have Lachlan appear on the other side.

  There were few private chambers in the inn. He would know where to find her.

  Resolved, Katherine stayed awake in that chair for half the night, her ears straining to hear the sound of a knock on her door.